For the first time, Sinclair Talks will have an event hosted by a student instead of a faculty member.
Communication major and Air Force Veteran Jachlin Williams will show, “The Invisible War” on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 9 a.m. in Buidling 2, Room 334.
The movie addresses military sexual trauma.
“It’s an important topic that often gets overlooked. I think there’s a lot in the greater media about veterans in general… but specific needs and specific reasons for support we can provide to these veterans – and part of that process, part of getting civilians involved in supporting veterans in that transition, is getting civilians to understand parts of the military experience,” Sally Caspers,Veterans Affairs coordinator said. “There are other films that we could show that would talk about veteran experience more broadly, combat experience or other things, but this is one that often gets overlooked.”
Williams has hosted the movie twice at the Neon in Dayton and once in Yellow Springs. She has been working on showing the documentary at Sinclair since August. She said her Interpersonal Communications Instructor Jessica Lawson directed her to the right people to make the showing happen.
“It’s my healing tool, each time I watch it. There’s different parts, it has triggered me at different parts,” said Williams said. “It’s the injustice of the system and what needs to be changed and how these individuals were treated. They served their country, just like I did.”
Williams said during the event, there will be representatives from Dayton Veterans Affair and Dayton Veteran Center, as well as Sinclair counselors available for people to reach out to during the film or after if needed.
In addition, she said at each of her showings, she’s had at least one person stand up and realize that they’re not alone.
“It’s one of those things that civilians need to know about to better understand the veteran and military community and then look for ways to support them,” Caspers said.
Williams also made a point that MST doesn’t only happen to women and there will also be support at the event for men as well.
“Less than 1 percent of the entire U.S. population has served in the military or is on active duty at any given time, so this pool of people who get it is shrinking,” Caspers said. “Part of what we can do as the veteran’s community is reach out to the civilian community, but then also within the veteran’s community, [they] were segmented a bit. So there’s education to go around for everyone.”
Williams said the movie may touch anyone that has been affected by sexual trauma.
“Sexual assaults can happen anywhere,” Williams said.
Every student, faculty and staff member is invited to attend the free event. It will last until 11:30 a.m., and may be hosted again.
“What we’re trying to do with Sinclair Talks is provide opportunities for people to connect in different kinds of ways,” Peter Bolmida, project manager for the Sinclair Talks said.
For more information about “The Invisible War,” visit invisiblewarmovie.com. For more information about Sinclair Talks, visit Sinclair.edu/talks.